Owlchemy Labs, the studio known for the genre-defying game Job Simulator, have cooked up a new way of doing mixed reality that not only promises to be more realistic, but is sure to grab the attention of VR streamers and content creators alike. They’re calling it ‘Depth-based Realtime In-app Mixed Reality Compositing’. It sounds complex, but it seems to simplify the entire production pipeline.
Google is set to unveil a number of new devices and services at today’s big event, mainly focusing on the Pixel and Pixel XL phones (which have already been widely leaked). According to a report by Variety though, Google’s new mobile VR headset platform Daydream is going to hit the spotlight as well, and at a price low enough to fit under almost any Christmas tree.
At PAX West, Reload Studios made a strong push for cultivating World War Toons as a VR eSports title. They were livestreaming a couple of shoutcasters announcing a four-on-four player capture the flag game of World War Toons, which is a free-to-play, VR first-person shooter. This was all preparation for Twitchcon this past weekend where they were on the expo floor with the same configuration, except with PlayStation VR headsets instead of Oculus Rifts.
I had a chance to catch up with Reload Studios CEO James Chung at PAX West where we talk about motion sickness with VR first-person shooters with different VR comfort options, their integrations with the Virtuix Omni, their free-to-play business model, and VR eSports as well as the future of streaming in VR.
LISTEN TO THE VOICES OF VR PODCAST
Here was Reload Studios’ setup at PAX West:
Music: Fatality & Summer Trip
Dominic Brennan gets his hands on ESI Group’s latest iteration of IC.IDO, their automotive visualisation tool that uses CAD-accurate data to generate extremely realistic VR simulations which let you take apart (or fix) your own virtual car.
The Vive’s Lighthouse tracking system is an impressive piece of tech, considering it boasts sub-millimeter, 3D room-scale positional tracking for a VR headset and hand controllers using lasers. But haven’t you ever wished the Vive controllers could be used for more than just hand tracking? Maybe you want a Lighthouse-compatible harness for your dog, a cool gun accessory, or maybe you just want to keep track of your beer while in VR? Now’s your chance to pitch your crazy accessory idea to HTC.
Immersive media company Matterport have just announced they’re to make available what they claim is the world’s largest collection of VR-focussed real-world models and locations in a bid to become a source of experiences for VR consumers.
HypeVR may be poised to alter the 360 video landscape with their depth-mapped, volumetric video system that lets VR users move in, out and around the captured scene. Watch Fox’s Futurist Ted Schilowitz as he gives one of the first real time demonstrations of the technology.
Lionsgate have announced that the VR experience based on the Keanu Reeves film John Wick is to be previewed next week at NYC’s Comic Con, where attendees will be treated to a 7 minute sneak peek of the Starbreeze developed title.
Touch, Oculus’ forthcoming VR motion controller, has made the rounds at the FCC, the U.S. regulatory body that certifies devices for electromagnetic spectrum compatibility for consumer usage. The appearance suggests the pre-order date for Touch is very near.
We catch up with Sightline creator Tomáš ‘Frooxius’ Mariančík whose work to create the Google Docs of VR world building with his latest project Neos, is progressing rapidly.
Sony has confirmed that Driveclub VR will launch as a day one PSVR title. For owners of the Driveclub Season Pass, the company is offering a “digital upgrade” option.
With the Oculus Connect 2016 developer conference just around the corner, the company has finally posted the full schedule of sessions and confirmed that the conference will be livestreamed in VR thanks to NextVR.
PlayStation VR is nearly here and we’ve got an unboxing to tide you over until its launch in just two weeks.
On the lead up to PlayStation VR’s October 13th launch, the first wave of PSVR games have been listed in the PlayStation Store.
Out of Ammo is a real time strategy game that combines base building with the ability to step into the boots of individual soldiers for some first person action.
